Kennesaw State researcher looking at Russian economic expansion in the Arctic

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 24, 2021

Research being conducted this summer by 石榴直播 professor Thomas Rotnem could shape how the U.S. and other nations conduct foreign policy with Russia.

As a Kennan Institute Summer Research Scholar, Rotnem is looking at Russia鈥檚 ambitious economic development plans in the Arctic, including development of the Northern Sea Route through the Arctic Ocean. The Washington, D.C.-based institute, which is an integral part of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, has been a leading center of research on Russia and the former Soviet Union since 1968.

In the wake of President Biden鈥檚 one-day summit last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Rotnem said the rival nations have a history of cooperation in the Arctic, which might help the countries improve strained relations now.

鈥淭he Arctic has been an area of cooperation on a lot of levels,鈥� said Rotnem, who is associate director of the Kennesaw State . 鈥淚n fact, the U.S. just recently signed an agreement with Russia over shipping and transit in the Bering and Beaufort seas. It鈥檚 proven both sides can talk about important things and find a solution.鈥�

Rotnem鈥檚 Kennan Institute inquiry focuses on Russia鈥檚 economic development plans 鈥� financed in part by China 鈥� to develop the Northern Sea Route through the Arctic Ocean, a key to increasing export of natural resources. Russia is working to increase sale of liquified natural gas, oil and other resources and is building out railroads, roads, and river projects in Siberia to make that possible. The effort is part of a 15-year plan put forth last October. China has emerged as an investment partner in the Arctic because it is flush with cash, while Russia is much weaker economically, Rotnem said.

Rotnem鈥檚 research is looking at how widespread economic development will impact the indigenous and other people already living in the Russian north, as well as the environment. While there are extensive sources of information on the Northern Sea Route plans and the feeder transportation networks, a challenge is in finding local adverse reactions to these monumental development efforts.

鈥淓ven in the regional newspapers, there鈥檚 not a hint of opposition,鈥� Rotnem said. 鈥淪o I have had to resort to social media 鈥� particularly Russian-language sources using the Telegram app 鈥� to follow Arctic-related and indigenous people-related channels. I see a lot more criticism there than I see in the official media.鈥�

When the two-month research project is over, Rotnem will present his findings in August, at both the WWICS and through various outlets at the Kennan Institute.

Rotnem鈥檚 research is ongoing amid the backdrop of Biden engaging with Putin. Both sides, Rotnem said, have made public statements about the importance of fighting climate change. Melting permafrost is having effects on both countries, and the two nations could cooperate to slow or reverse the effects of climate change.

Another area where the two nations can become more cooperative in the Arctic is military communications, Rotnem said. Since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 鈥� a move strongly opposed by the U.S. and its Western allies 鈥� military-to-military communications that used to be routine between the two nations have discontinued.

鈥淭here鈥檚 so much military activity on both sides in the Arctic now that they really need to be talking and have established communications,鈥� Rotnem said. 鈥淥therwise there could be an unfortunate incident that could have unforeseen consequences.鈥�

鈥� Gary Tanner

石榴直播

Kennesaw State researcher looking at Russian economic expansion in the Arctic

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